Miniature High-Efficiency V-band Dielectric Traveling-Wave Tube

This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project will involve the prototype development of an efficient V-band dielectric traveling-wave tube (DTWT) that will provide short-wavelength radiation for rf communications applications in future militarysatellites. The DTWT is based on the novel interaction between a small-diameter electron beam and the electromagnetic fields of a traveling wave inside a very compact dielectric waveguide. The dielectric waveguide is used to slow down the wave andreplaces the less efficient helix structures used in conventional traveling-wave tubes. Our initial studies show the DTWT to be twice as efficient as conventional helix traveling-wave tubes and less sensitive to shock and vibration, making the DTWT idealfor space applications. Detailed numerical, computational and experimental analyses of this concept are proposed during Phase I in order to evaluate key issues such as bandwidth, maximum output power, efficiency and gain. Once fully developed, the DTWTshould be capable of replacing conventional traveling-wave tubes in telecommunication systems for future space applications by offering substantial improvements in size, weight, and especially efficiency over its counterparts. If successful, thedielectric traveling-wave tube should efficiently provide coherent high-frequency radiation for many applications. Of particular interest are millimeter-wave sources for airborne radar, satellite communications, wireless television and communications,cellular telephones, and the microwave power module.